AAN Annual Report by adoptamericanetwork

Key Accomplishments

In 2021, AAN secured a contract with the state of Ohio to staff and maintain what would become the Adoption Resource and Home Assessor Program.

With the restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic lessened, the OAKS: Ongoing Adoption and Kinship Support program was able to begin hosting in-person support groups.

AAN’s child-focused recruitment efforts expanded with the doubling of the number of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiters, a result of increased funding from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

AAN Success Story

While it might be difficult to pin down what a “typical” adoption story is, the story of the Tate family is certainly not that. Rather, one might even think of it as being quite extraordinary. The story begins when Sue first adopted Olivia from foster care as a single mother through AAN. All adoptive families encounter their own set of struggles, but Olivia proved a challenging addition to Sue’s family, as she was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder and endured a traumatic brain injury that led to her developmental delay. Matters were further complicated when Sue started dating her nowhusband, Jeff. However, the family eventually came together in sorting itself out, and despite initial resistance toward Jeff, Olivia gradually grew more comfortable with him and began to call him “Dad.”

Sue and Jeff were married, and they have been together for eighteen years. The couple decided that they had more room in their hearts and home, so they decided to bring another child into their family, Cheyanne. It was important to the family that both Olivia and Cheyanne officially have the same parents and last name simultaneously. So, at the same time, Sue adopted Cheyanne and Jeff adopted both Cheyanne and Olivia, their family now united.

The growing family still had its challenges to overcome, as Cheyanne also experienced developmental delays and had been born with Jeavons syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that causes difficult-to-manage seizures. To find better treatment for Cheyanne, the family made several trips to the Cleveland Clinic. Cheyanne’s seizures began to lessen, and with the right care, Cheyanne has been without seizures for over three years now.

The family’s greatest test had yet to come. In December 2020, Sue contracted Covid-19 and was hospitalized. She was on ventilation for five weeks and needed both a tracheostomy tube and feeding tube. Because of safety precautions, Sue’s daughters were not permitted to visit her. They resorted to catching glimpses of their mom through her hospital room window, enduring the harsh winter cold. This experience was especially hard for Cheyanne, who had difficulty accepting she could not visit her mother. Eventually Sue was able to explain to hospital staff the unique nature of her family, and Cheyanne was permitted two short visits with her mom.

From a hospital, to a step-down hospital, to a rehab facility, Sue was finally able to return home in June of 2021, after six months away from her family. However, Sue still required a wheelchair and a tracheostomy tube. The Tates rallied together, making Sue as comfortable as possible with a hospital bed in their living room. Both daughters proved to be big helps to their parents, with Olivia and Cheyanne cooking meals, helping Sue maintain her hygiene, assisting Sue with occupational and physical therapy, and helping make sure that Sue got her proper medication. Olivia also stepped up and helped to take care of Cheyanne. “It was amazing to watch them grow up in this way,” says Sue. While Sue’s overall health situation has improved, she still has other complications. Luckily, her daughters are quick to offer their help.

The Tates are an astounding example of how family, no matter how its members may have been united, can come together to support one another even in the most strenuous of times, persevering with love and devotion.

The Tates pose for a family photo after Olivia and Cheyanne’s adoptions were finalized.

A recent photo of the adopted Tate sisters.

Program Outcomes

Families Served

Demographics of the Children Placed

Special Challenges of the Children Placed

Financial Results

2021 Net Ending Assets: $900,308

About AAN

Fundraising: $145,433

State Contracts: $258,861

Other: $223,589

Adopt America Network believes every child deserves to grow up in a family. We connect children who wait in foster care with permanent families, providing support before, during and after the family is united. Adopt America Network was founded in 1983 by Richard K. Ransom, who also founded Hickory Farms. Mr. Ransom dedicated his life to helping children and since he established AAN, nearly 5,000 children from foster care have found homes and families through the network. AAN is a national charity and licensed agency in the State of Ohio, providing adoption services to children and families throuhgout the country, without charging fees to the families. Through our national network of public and private agencies, AAN collaborates with both lay and faith-based organizations to offer adoption and kinship services to people interested in providing a permanent family for children in U.S. foster care.

Board Members Advisory Board

Dan Silvers, Chair

Mike Hanson, Vice Chair

Brendan Karchner, Treasurer

Kelly Oliver, Secretary

Matthew Armstrong, Past Chair

Wendy Spoerl, AAN President

David Bruhl

Tammy Corral

Julia D’Arcangelo

Rebecca Nighbert

Tonya Rider

Phillip Rudolph, Jr.

Sarah Stevens

Doug Towslee

Amy Tyson

Jeff Young

Al Bianco

Nick Cherry

Tony Geftos

Sharon Gillespie

Mike Hart

Shannon Irmen

Mark Karchner

Mark Knierim

Beverly Landy

Bill Life

Barbara Machin

Letitia Marth

Bill McGinnis

Yvonne McNulty

Jani Miller

Becky Williams

Kenneth Wise

Endowment Trustees

Russell Miller, Sr., Chair

Elaine Bodi, Secretary